Small to medium-sized farms across the United States are struggling to combat inflation, which is cutting into profits and creating a barrier for those new to the industry.
Some small farms are struggling, with profits squeezed by inflation. Some owners said their farms may not survive to carry on their family lineage.
“Maybe I’m from the generation that loses.” [the farm]. “It’s not just me, it’s just the world around me that might change in a way that I can’t stand anymore,” said Andrew Bording, a sixth-generation farmer at Bording Farm. It’s more expensive than before.
Jim Boarding, who currently runs the farm with his family, says, “My father retired about 20 years ago, and I can’t believe that prices have gone up compared to when he was a farmer.” Told. Mr Jim said higher input costs meant a significant reduction in profits.
“Input costs are ridiculous… fuel costs go up, machinery costs go up, and when the price of grain goes up, all the other costs go up,” Jim said.
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Family Farm in St. Charles, Missouri (Fox News/Olivianna Calmes/Fox News)
U.S. farm real estate prices averaged $4,080 per acre in 2023, an increase of $280 per acre.
The president of the Missouri Farm Bureau said this makes it difficult for farms to expand.
Agricultural product prices rose last year. (Fox News/Olivianna Calmes/Fox News)
“There’s tremendous competition for access to these acres,” Garrett Hawkins said.
He said it was putting pressure on small family farms. Missouri State lost 300 games last year.
The U.S. beef industry is at an all-time low, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“The number of family farms in the United States is down or declining by 7%,” Hawkins said.
So it’s no surprise that maintaining farms becomes more difficult, he said. in the family, And starting anew as a new farmer is even more difficult.
A field at Boarding Farm in St. Charles, Missouri. (Fox News/Olivianna Calmes/Fox News)
“Here in Missouri, we passed a new state law to give incentives to new farmers who want to find acres and better match them with those who want to retire or go out of business,” Hawkins explained.
Both the Hawkins and Boarding families want to maintain the community they love, even if it requires some effort.
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“It’s something that me and my dad grew up with and hopefully my kids will grow up with,” Andrew Bording said.
